FACES OF FAITH

Community Profiles at St. Andrew's Church

Susan  Goodwin

1)     What is your favourite hymn?

It is difficult to limit oneself to just one as we have so many wonderful hymns in the new Book of Praise, such as "O Lord My God how great thou art" (#332), "Be Thou My Vision" (#461) and then there is "God of Grace and God of Glory" (#490). 

I love to hear Silence in Heaven, Silence on Earth, Silence Within, an introit sung by Mark Wilson, and then there is always Dare to be a Daniel which seems to have fallen out of favour.

2)     Do you have a favourite passage from the Bible?

Ecclesiastes 3: 1-6 

To everything there is a season,

A time for every purpose under heaven. 

A time to be born, and a time to die..

A time to weep and a time to laugh..

A time to mourn, and a time of dance..

A time to get, a time to lose

3)     What is the best book (biblical or non-biblical) that you have read in the last six months?
 

I just finished reading Walking One Another Home:  Moments of Grace and Possibility in the Midst of Alzheimer’s by Rita Bresnahan.

I am presently reading:

The Shack – Where Tragedy Confronts Eternity by William Paul Young and

More by Austin Clarke whose “stream of consciousness” technique is challenging as I think that Thursday is never going to end.

I have a few books that I pick up and read periodically, such as

The Gift of Years: Growing Older Gracefully by Joan Chittister, a Benedictine sister,

Surprises around the Bend: 50 adventurous walkers by Richard A Hasler and

Mystery Stories from the Labyrinth by Jo Ann Stevenson & Cathy Anderson

4)     What is your favourite style of music, and what is likely on your stereo / ipod / car radio right now?

My taste runs the gamut from classical to pop.

At home, I have the following CDs on my stereo Moonlight Serenade by Carly Simon, What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong and Alexander Gavrylyuk Live in Recital, a very talented young pianist who performed at Chautauqua this past season.

While driving, I flip between 99.1 (CBC) and 98.1 (CHFI),

5)     What is your earliest memory of church?

It’s not the earliest, but a favourite one from my youth.  At St Andrew’s, Whitby our youth group, Presbyteens wanted to have a dance, but dancing in the church hall was not acceptable to some parishioners.  Hence, our canny Scots minister, the Rev David Marshall decided to call the dancing “musical games” thus satisfying all involved.

6)     What attracted you to become a part of the St. Andrew's community, and what keeps you here?

Almost 20 years ago while looking for a new church, I saw an advertisement in the Toronto Star and decided to attend a service.  I was impressed with the quality of music, preaching and the beauty of the sanctuary.  I stay because it is my church home. 

7)     What is your greatest hope for St. Andrew's?

I hope that St. Andrew’s will continue its mission in the city by warmly welcoming all who enter its doors and by encouraging everyone to participate fully in church life.